Immortal Druid

[POV: Willow]

Far to the south of the Earthly Heart Continent lay an isolated island hidden from the eyes of the world. Upon it rested a tranquil lake that appeared no different from any other, save for the ancient aura that lingered over its waters like an eternal veil.

The Willow Order had guarded this place for as long as its oldest records could remember, passing the duty from one generation to the next without fail. The lake served as the only entrance to a mysterious secret realm known as the Holy Emperor's Tear.

Legends claimed the realm had been born from a single teardrop shed by the Holy Emperor. No one truly knew who or what the Holy Emperor had been. The title belonged to an existence so ancient that even history dared not record its origins.

Across every continent and every great sect, the Holy Emperor was regarded as the creator of the world itself, along with the boundless universe beyond mortal comprehension. Whether that belief was truth or merely faith no longer mattered, for the Holy Emperor's Tear remained one of the greatest mysteries left behind from a forgotten age.

Countless geniuses had entered the lake throughout the ages, yet none had ever been able to describe what awaited them beneath its surface. The only certainty was that time flowed differently within the secret realm. How differently, no one could answer. Those fortunate enough to return claimed they remembered nothing of the experience itself. Their memories dissolved into an indescribable void, leaving behind only the overwhelming sensation that they had become one with the universe itself. As for those who never returned, scholars could only theorize that they had merged with that boundless existence forever, abandoning their mortal identities without regret.

On the day Willow arrived, an elderly man sat quietly upon a weathered wooden pier with a fishing rod resting lazily in his hands. His eyes remained closed as though he had long since fallen asleep, yet his voice drifted across the still waters the instant Willow approached.

"Once you enter the lake, there will be no turning back. Whether you emerge again or become one with eternity depends entirely upon yourself."

Willow accepted the warning without hesitation. She spread her wings one final time before diving into the pristine waters, disappearing beneath the mirror-like surface without creating so much as a ripple.

Those who returned from the Holy Emperor's Tear were transformed beyond imagination. Every one of them emerged possessing cultivation that surpassed all expectations, accompanied by insights so profound that they rewrote conventional understanding. Against opponents of the same realm, they stood invincible. Some had even accomplished feats once thought impossible, crossing realms to defeat enemies whose cultivation should have rendered victory unattainable. It was because of those legends that cultivators continued seeking the lake despite knowing there was every chance they would never return.

Like everyone before her, Willow had no recollection of how much time had passed.

Consciousness gradually returned to her.

A cool sensation embraced her skin.

She floated gently upon the surface of the lake, lying on her back as shafts of sunlight filtered through the emerald forest canopy overhead. The gentle breeze carried the scent of ancient trees, while birdsong echoed softly across the peaceful island. She slowly raised a hand toward the sky, watching the golden light dance between her slender fingers. The warmth of the sunlight felt strangely intimate, as though the heavens themselves welcomed her return.

Confusion surfaced only after she lowered her gaze.

Gone were the familiar feathers that had accompanied her throughout her life.

She slowly sat upright before rising to her feet. The calm lake reflected the image of a graceful silver-haired woman whose crimson eyes shimmered with quiet serenity. Her flawless features carried an otherworldly elegance untouched by mortality, while every movement flowed with effortless grace. Willow stared silently at her own reflection, unable to reconcile it with the owl she had always known herself to be.

"Congratulations on reaching the peak of Soul Transformation. Just a bit more experience, and you can ascend to the realm of immortality," the mysterious old man said with a gentle smile. Beside him rested a neatly folded set of robes. "I've prepared clothes for you. Now come."

Willow stepped out of the lake, her bare feet touching the soft grass without leaving so much as a footprint. Every breath she drew filled her with indescribable comfort.

The surrounding world seemed to resonate with her existence, as if every leaf, every gust of wind, and every ray of sunlight welcomed her presence. It felt less like she had adapted to the universe and more as though the universe itself had embraced her.

She awkwardly dressed herself in the robes the old man had prepared. They were predominantly white, accented by black sleeves and a matching black belt wrapped neatly around her waist. Although unfamiliar with a human body, she managed after several clumsy attempts to fasten everything properly.

She looked toward the elderly guardian.

"Senior... how long has it been since I entered the lake?"

The old man stroked his beard thoughtfully before answering.

"Only a few decades."

Willow blinked in surprise.

Only decades.

There existed no direct relationship between the amount of time one spent within the Holy Emperor's Tear and the benefits one received upon returning. Some entered for mere moments before emerging transformed, while others remained for centuries only to gain comparatively little.

Even so, Willow found herself wishing she could have remained longer. Though every memory had vanished, the emotions lingering deep within her soul remained vivid beyond words. She could still recall the overwhelming peace, the profound sense of belonging, and the indescribable warmth of becoming part of something infinitely greater than herself.

For the first time, she truly understood why so many never returned.

Remaining there forever no longer sounded frightening.

It sounded... comforting.

Remembering something else, Willow quickly turned back toward the old man.

"Senior, did you send the letters I entrusted to you before I entered?"

"I did," the old man replied with an amused chuckle. "A rather silly endeavor, if you ask me."

A faint smile appeared on Willow's lips.

She had written those letters before entering the Holy Emperor's Tear because she did not wish her friends to spend endless years worrying about her disappearance. Even if she never returned, they would at least know she had entered willingly.

The old man rose from the pier, dusting off his robes before stretching leisurely.

"Don't rush your departure. Spend some time becoming accustomed to your cultivation. You've crossed a great threshold, and haste serves no one. Once you've settled your foundation, come find me at my hut."

With those words, he began walking along the narrow forest path.

Only now did Willow instinctively examine his cultivation.

Her pupils contracted.

Throughout her previous visits, she had never been capable of sensing anything from the old man. His existence had always resembled an ordinary mortal.

Now she finally understood why.

His cultivation had long surpassed the mortal path.

He was an immortal.

Willow hurried after him, unable to suppress the excitement welling within her chest.

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"Senior, please come with me! The Willow Order could truly use your strength."

The old man continued walking without slowing.

"I have a duty. The Order has protected this place for countless generations. And I have watched over the Holy Emperor's Tear for far longer."

Willow refused to give up.

"The world grows increasingly dangerous. If the primordial forces invade again, countless lives will be lost."

The old man stopped briefly before speaking in an unwavering voice.

"Even if the primordial forces descend upon this world... even if the heavens collapse and all creation perishes... I will remain here."

His gaze settled upon the tranquil lake behind them.

"This is my sacred duty."

He resumed walking.

"I share a relationship with the Willow Order, but that relationship will never outweigh my responsibility as guardian of the Holy Emperor's Tear."

Willow lowered her head, disappointment flickering across her face, yet she understood the conviction behind his words. There was no hesitation, no regret, and no possibility of changing his mind.

"Then... may I at least know your name?"

The old man offered no reply.

Without so much as a backward glance, he continued down the forest trail until the trees swallowed his figure whole, leaving Willow standing alone beside the sacred lake whose greatest mystery had, somehow, only deepened.

Not many within the Willow Order even knew the Holy Emperor's Tear existed. Willow doubted that even Jia Ping, the Order's Chronicler, possessed any records regarding this secluded island. She herself had only discovered its existence through sheer coincidence.

While browsing one of the Willow Order's forgotten secret libraries, Willow had noticed a crooked bookshelf balanced by an old, bedraggled tome wedged beneath one of its legs. Curious, she had retrieved the neglected volume and found it contained fragmented accounts concerning the Holy Emperor's Tear.

Although much of the writing had faded beyond recognition, it had been enough to convince Li Qing of the place's authenticity.

After carefully consulting the records alongside the Heavenly Eye, Li Qing eventually granted Willow permission to undertake the journey, accompanied by a contingent of cultivators from the Order.

Now, with her seclusion finally behind her, Willow wandered through the ancient forest at a leisurely pace. She familiarized herself with the immense strength flowing through every fiber of her transformed body, occasionally testing herself against the spiritual beasts inhabiting the island.

None could withstand her for more than a few exchanges before retreating in fear. She deliberately held back her overwhelming cultivation, treating each encounter as an opportunity to understand the subtleties of her newfound power rather than displaying dominance.

During her stroll, Willow eventually reached a modest village nestled between towering ancient trees. Wooden homes stood beneath the forest canopy, while narrow stone paths connected gardens flourishing with spiritual herbs and fruit-bearing trees. According to the records, these villagers were descendants of Willow Order cultivators who had sworn generations ago to remain upon the island and safeguard the Holy Emperor's Tear.

As Willow entered the village, several young villagers stopped what they were doing and stared at the silver-haired woman approaching them.

"She's... she's so beautiful..."

"I've never seen anyone like her before."

"D-Do you think she's really from the Willow Order?"

One particularly nervous youth quickly hid behind his older sister, peeking around her shoulder with a crimson face, while another eagerly waved both hands.

"H-Hello!"

Willow smiled warmly and waved back.

The youngsters immediately burst into embarrassed laughter before scattering in every direction.

"Run! She waved back!"

"I told you not to wave!"

Several adults hurried over, each grabbing one or two of the fleeing children by the ears.

"Show some manners!"

"Don't trouble our honored guest."

The adults then bowed respectfully toward Willow.

"Please forgive the children, Lady Cultivator."

"There is nothing to forgive," Willow replied with a gentle smile.

As she continued through the village, she quietly observed the residents with her spiritual sense. Their cultivations varied tremendously. Some remained ordinary mortals who had never embarked upon cultivation, while others had reached Foundation Establishment or even Golden Core. A handful possessed remarkably stable auras, suggesting they had cultivated patiently upon the island for many decades without ever leaving.

Leaving the village behind, Willow returned to the forest to further examine herself.

Reaching the peak of Soul Transformation meant she had completely refined the six laws that formed the foundation of her Dao. Every movement naturally harmonized with heaven and earth, while the surrounding spiritual energy instinctively answered her will. As she experimented with each law individually and together, she gradually pieced together the complete picture of the Dao Domain she now possessed. It differed greatly from anything she had imagined before entering the Holy Emperor's Tear, carrying traces of the profound unity she could no longer consciously remember yet still instinctively understood.

By the time the sun began descending toward the western horizon, Willow arrived near the temporary outpost established by the cultivators accompanying her expedition.

The moment she stepped within sensing distance, several figures emerged from concealment.

"Don't take another step!"

"You are surrounded!"

More than two dozen Core Formation cultivators appeared from behind trees, atop wooden watchtowers, and within concealed formations, each wearing the distinctive white and green robes of the Willow Order. Spiritual artifacts immediately locked onto Willow from every direction.

Willow blinked before recognizing one familiar face among them.

"Gong Jiang, it's me!"

Without hesitation, her human figure shimmered before shrinking into her familiar owl form.

"See?" Willow flapped her silver-gray wings enthusiastically. "I just completed my seclusion! Where's everyone else?"

Even while transformed, the robes she had received from the mysterious old man remained perfectly intact. Instead of tearing apart or restricting her movement, they seamlessly adapted to her beastly body, their fabric seemingly fading into her feathers while preserving their enchantments. The craftsmanship surpassed anything she had ever encountered.

Gong Jiang stared blankly for several breaths before her stern expression melted into astonishment.

"It's really you... Wise Owl!"

Willow let out an amused hoot before transforming back into her human form.

"It's Willow," she corrected with a laugh. "But anyway, where's everyone? It also looks like there are far more people stationed here now."

Gong Jiang relaxed and motioned for the others to lower their weapons.

"The group that accompanied you decades ago has already rotated back to the Order. We've been replacing personnel regularly ever since. As for the increased numbers..." She scratched the back of her head thoughtfully. "The upper branch hoped we might somehow reestablish contact with the Lord Immortal guarding this place. At least, I believe that was their intention."

She sighed quietly.

"It seems the Willow Order gradually lost its connection with this island after transitioning into the village system, before the Washing Away of Hands. Many old records disappeared, traditions faded, and communication simply ceased. Now they're trying to recover what was lost."

Willow nodded thoughtfully.

"Then introduce everyone to me."

The following days passed pleasantly as Willow became acquainted with every cultivator stationed upon the island. Half of them served as guardians, while the remaining half were researchers fascinated by the mysteries surrounding the Holy Emperor's Tear. Every meal became an opportunity for lively conversation, and Willow found herself unexpectedly delighted by one simple discovery.

Being human made eating human food extraordinarily enjoyable.

The flavors lingered longer, the aromas became richer, and every texture carried a complexity impossible to appreciate with an owl's beak. She found herself eagerly sampling every local specialty the villagers prepared, much to everyone's amusement.

During quieter moments, her thoughts drifted toward home.

She silently thanked Li Qing for concealing the true purpose of her seclusion from the rest of the Hermit Sage Forest and the Willow Order.

Sage Wo Li almost certainly would never have approved such a dangerous undertaking. Even with the Heavenly Eye predicting her survival, no prediction concerning the Holy Emperor's Tear could ever be considered absolute.

The secret realm stood beyond ordinary fate itself. Had anything gone differently, she might have become another forgotten soul forever merged with the universe.

Once she had fully adjusted to her cultivation, Willow sought out the mysterious old man one final time.

She found him outside his modest hut.

Instead of fishing, he calmly painted upon a large scroll. Gentle strokes of his brush gradually revealed towering mountains stretching beyond the clouds, countless waterfalls cascading into crystal lakes, and endless valleys bathed beneath a gentle breeze. The landscape possessed an indescribable vitality, as though the scenery itself breathed with life.

The old man placed his brush down.

"A gift to you," he said. "I call this Breeze Mountains of Ten Thousand Peaks."

Willow accepted the scroll with both hands.

"Thank you, Senior. I shall treasure—"

Before she could finish speaking, the painting dissolved into countless streams of radiant light.

They rushed into her body.

Willow instinctively stepped backward in alarm.

"W-What happened?"

"It has accepted you," the old man replied calmly. "That painting is no ordinary artwork. It is an artifact. In time, you'll discover that it is immensely useful."

Before Willow could ask another question, the old man simply waved his hand dismissively.

"Our paths end here."

He smiled faintly.

"Go."

Knowing further questions would accomplish nothing, Willow bowed deeply before leaving the island.

The instant she reached the open sea, she transformed into her owl form and soared into the endless sky. The ocean breeze flowed smoothly beneath her wings, carrying her northward toward the center of the Earthly Heart Continent.

As she flew, something deep within her stirred.

The Breeze Mountains of Ten Thousand Peaks resonated gently inside her soul.

Its rhythm synchronized with her heartbeat.

Fragments of emotion from the Holy Emperor's Tear surfaced once more. Though her memories remained forever beyond reach, one realization emerged with startling clarity.

Her bloodline still held a secret.

The resonance grew stronger.

An ancient instinct, older than memory itself, awakened from the deepest corner of her ancestry.

Silver radiance erupted across her feathers.

The sky trembled.

Willow's owl body dissolved into countless streams of moonlit light before rapidly expanding. Feathers transformed into gleaming silver fur. Her wings stretched outward, growing broader and more majestic until brilliant pinions unfurled from a powerful feline frame. Muscles rippled beneath immaculate white-silver fur as razor-sharp claws formed beneath enormous paws capable of tearing through mountains.

A magnificent silver-winged tiger emerged high above the sea.

Golden eyes slowly opened, carrying an ancient majesty that seemed to command the heavens themselves. Vast wings shimmered with metallic brilliance before spreading across the sky, each feather humming with the profound resonance of heaven and earth.

Willow hovered silently, instinctively understanding that this was no ordinary transformation.

Hidden within her bloodline slept an even older lineage.

Only after becoming one with the universe had it finally awakened.